Wanapum Dam stabilization

AUS divers help complete Wanapum Dam stabilization

Divers drilled and bolted stop-logs to the dam.

Divers from Associated Underwater Services have completed the installation of 585 concrete stop logs weighing 60 tons each at Wanapum Dam one month ahead of schedule.

The dam is located on the Columbia River, 6 miles downstream of Vantage. The stop-logs were set, drilled and bolted to the dam’s future unit slots to increase the stability of the dam between the powerhouse and the spillway.

AUS, a Spokane-based commercial diving and underwater services company, completed more than 900 core-drilled holes in 650 dives of up to 120 feet during a four-month period.

The project was completed for Barnard Construction of Bozeman, Mont., who was under contract with Grant County PUD.

At peak production, the project required the use of 32 divers working on two barges 20 hours per day.

AUS has an office in Seattle and specializes in underwater construction on dams, intakes, outfalls, piers and other heavy civil projects requiring underwater services.